4 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

climate, as well as spirits aftd bodies dying of ennui of a life of quarantine, united to a devouring longing for the healthy, whiteskin-producing North, urged us as soon as possible to quit for ever this unhealthy city, as well as the arid steppes of the Bellad-Sudan. Our purpose was still more strengthened by the first expedition to the source of the White Nile, having sailed while we lay on sick couches, and with it went the main object of our journey. At this time, the Grand Cadi paid us a visit, while his attending Faki remained standing at the doors. We fancied he had come to have a talk with us, or hold a small court of inquiry as to a matter in which I was principally concerned. The case was this we had allowed the poor mother and sisters of our two servants to occupy one of our out-buildings, and for some days I had observed a tall young Faki, in white garments, and with an immense rosary round his neck, creep over the court to the window, and write some characters on the ground before her door. I asked the sons what the priest did there, and was told by them, with sad faces, that he wrote charms, or amulettes, for the women, and that they had to give up their wages to pay him ; that he was a greedy miser, and had already received so much that they had nothing left for themselves. This angered me, and I went across the court to him, and asked, "Amie e ?" (What do you ?) but without honouring me with a glance, or even rising for a Nasrani, or Kafr (Infidel), he replied, " Di schogie betai ! " (That's my business!) Next moment I had him by the arm, and, pointing to tlie gate, desired him to quit our court ; but he would not, and striking his breast, exclaimed, " Ana Faki ! " (I am a priest), and I retorted by " Ente uachet Faki misaur ! " (You are a cheating priest and robber !) and only on ray laying hold of a piece of stout stick lying handy, did he, with many threats, quit the court. Hardly had I again sat down and cooled somewhat, when a violent knocking was made at our gates, before which a crowd of Faki and other rabble had gathered.

Our servants, who had not been long under my training, retreated in terror, and would not venture to open the court gates, until T, doublebarrelled gun in hand, went to our house door, and in loud voice, ordered the gates, with an " Hab ekta el hal ! " to be opened. " Stand still! " said my sick brother, in feeble voice, as he laid his double rifle over my left shoulder; and a lad of the name of Sale, from Mahaff, who was anxious to enter our service, also laid hold of a rifle.